Adminis



E. S. HULL, decd. EVLYN T. HULL and HOLLISTER, Ad

CURCULIO CATCHER.

Patented July 4,1876.

N- PETERS. FHQ'IWLITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D. O.

EVLYN T. HULL AND EDWARD HOLLISTER, OF ALTON, ILLINOIS, ADMIFIS- TRATORS OF EDWIN S. HULL, DECEASED.

IMPROVEMENT INXZURCULlO-CATCHERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 179,559, dated July 4, 1876; application filed May 16, 18-76.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that Dr. EDWIN S. HULL, of

Figurel is a detail cross-section of the improved device, taken through the line acne, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same, part of the covering-cloth being removed. Fig. 3 is a detail section of one of the arm-joints.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to furnish an improved device for removing curculios from fruit-trees, and destroying them, to protect the fruit from their ravages, and which shall be simple in construction and convenient in use.

The invention consists in the combination of the cross-bars, the jointed and slotted adjustable arms, the cloth cover provided with a loose flap, the waist-strip, thesupportingstraps, and the pockets with each other; in the cross-bars of the catcher, made in two parts, hinged to each other to adapt the catcher to be folded together in the middle; and in the arms of the catcher, made in two'parts, slotted and jointed to each other, to enable them to be extended to tighten the cover, and to he slipped together for convenience in packing, as hereinafter fully described.

A are two cross-bars, which are made in two parts, hinged to each other, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that the two halves of the device can be folded together for convenience in carrying it. B are the arms, which are made. in two parts. The outer ends of the inner parts of the arms B are slotted to receive the inner ends of the outer parts of the said arms, where they are secured to each other by two bolts, 1). The bolts 1) pass through holes in the outer ends of the inner parts of the arms 13, and through a short slot in the inner ends of the outer parts of said arms, so that, by loosening the said bolts 1), the arms B may be slightly extended to tighten the covering, should it become stretched. The two forward arms B are placed parallel with each other, and at such a distance apartas to receive the trunk of the tree between them. The two rear arms are placed parallel with each other and with the two forward arms, and are placed at a greater distance apart than the said two forward arms. The inner parts of the four parallel arms 13 are made longer than the inner parts of the other arms, as shown in Fig. 2. The other arms 13 are arranged radially, as shown in Fig. 2. The inner parts of all the arms B are connected with the end parts of the hinged cross-bars A. The device is covered with muslin or other light cloth 0, and its outer edge, which is secured to the outer ends of the arms B, may be strengthened by a cord. The cover 0 may be secured to the inner ends of the outer parts of the arms B by a cleat and screw, as shown in Fig. 2. The space between the two forward arms B is covered with a loose flap, 0, which is made wider than said space, so that its free edge may overlap the stationary part of the cover 0. The inner edge of the flap c is concaved to receive the trunk of the tree. The space between the hinged cross-bars A and the inner ends of the two forward arms B,-

which is designed to receive the body of the operator, is not covered with the cloth 0, but is provided with a strip, 1), of the cloth, to be tied or buckled around the waist of the said operator. To the said cross-bars and arms are also attached straps E, to be passed over the shoulders or buckled around the waist of the operator, for convenience in carrying the device. To the cross-bars and arms of the device are attached one or more pockets, F, into which the curculios may be swept as they are received upon the catcher, so that they may be conveniently destroyed.

By this construction, by removing the bolts 1) and the inner parts of the two front arms B, the outer parts of all the arms B may he slid into the slots of their inner parts, so that the device may be compactly folded and boxed for transportation. The straps E enable the back part of the catcher to be swung around in front, so that it is not necessary to back out in going from tree to tree, and so that the curculios may be conveniently swept into the pockets F.

In using the catcher the flap c is turned back and the catcher is carried forward, so that the trunk of the tree may enter the open space. The flap c is then turned down, and the tree is jarred to shake off the eurcullo,

Which are received upon the cloth 0, and are swept into the pockets F., The catcher is then taken to another tree, and so on, until all the trees have been cleaned.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of the cross-bars A the jointed and slotted adjustable armsB, the cloth cover (J, provided With a loose flap, c, the waist-strip D, the supporting-straps E, and the pockets F with each other, substantially as herein shown and described.

Witnesses G. F. LONG, JOHN REDMOND. 

